Matthew Henry Commentary Malachi 4:1-3

"For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, saith Jehovah of hosts." — Malachi 4:1-3 (ASV)

Here is a reference to the first and to the second coming of Christ: God has fixed the day of both. Those who do wickedly, who do not fear God's anger, will feel it. It is certainly to be applied to the day of judgment, when Christ will be revealed in flaming fire, to execute judgment on the proud and all who do wickedly. In both, Christ is a rejoicing Light to those who serve him faithfully.

By the Sun of Righteousness, we understand Jesus Christ. Through him, believers are justified and sanctified, and so are brought to see light. His influences render the sinner holy, joyful, and fruitful. This is also applicable to the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit, brought into human souls. Christ gave the Spirit to those who are his, to shine in their hearts and to be a Comforter to them, a Sun and a Shield.

That day which will burn as an oven for the wicked, will be as bright as the morning for the righteous; it is what they wait for, more than those who wait for the morning. Christ came as the Sun, to bring not only light to a dark world but also health to a diseased world. Souls will increase in knowledge and spiritual strength. Their growth is like that of calves of the stall, not like the flower of the field, which is slender, weak, and soon withers.

The saints' triumphs are all owing to God's victories; it is not they who do this, but God who does it for them. Behold, another day is coming, far more dreadful to all who work wickedness than any that has gone before. How great, then, the happiness of the believer, when he goes from the darkness and misery of this world to rejoice in the Lord forevermore!